School pupils from Bute and Dunoon will receive a unique insight into space travel on Friday [13 June] - from someone who has actually been there!

NASA astronaut Mike Baker has experienced several space flights and commanded the Atlantis shuttle which docked with the Russian space station Mir in 1997.

He will share his experiences with pupils from Rothesay Academy, Rothesay, North Bute and St Andrews Primary Schools and Dunoon Grammar.

The visit has been arranged through the Scottish Space Foundation, a partnership between Careers Scotland and the Scottish Executive.

Mike Baker (49) was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and gained a BSc in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas in 1975.  He became a captain in the US Navy and was accepted for the astronaut programme in 1985. 

He flew his first shuttle mission in 1991 and from March to October 1995 was director of operations for NASA at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Russia, working on the historic shuttle-Mir programme.

Careers Scotland enterprise in education adviser Aileen Goodall said Mike Baker was an inspiring speaker whose example could set young people thinking about their own career options.

"It's extremely valuable for young people to meet someone who has set their sights on a particular goal and succeeded in achieving it," said Aileen.

"Mike Baker's experience tells pupils that, with talent and determination, it's possible to carve out a career in whatever field you choose."